Paris Agreement

Six years ago, I was one of hundreds of official delegates that stood in a makeshift UN plenary hall at Le Bourget when the Paris agreement was adopted after years of negotiations.

It was then, and may well remain, the most significant thing I have ever been part of in my life.

In his address Frank Bainimarama urged world leaders to strive for more than just the two degrees’ target set in Paris in 2015.

In November, Mr Bainimarama will take up the presidency COP23 UN climate change conference in Germany.

He told leaders at the General Assembly they should commit to limiting global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees celsius above pre-industrial levels.

"It may be tempting for political leaders to show that they are protecting some national industry or near term economic goal," he said.

Enele Sopoaga was speaking at a Small Island Developing States event in New York where he and other leaders have gathered for the United Nations General Assembly.

Describing climate change as a security issue, he said there was a need to ensure that implementation of the Paris Agreement was verifiable.

The Agreement, which aims to limit global temperature increase below 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, was designed to protect communities most vulnerable to climate change impacts.

Rex Tillerson said the US would stay in the agreement "if we can construct a set of terms that we believe is fair".

His comments come despite the White House earlier denying reports it was softening its stance on the accord.

In June Mr Trump announced the US would withdraw from the pact.

The president said the move was part of his "solemn duty to protect America", painting the agreement as one which aimed to hobble the US economy in favour of countries like China and India.

The Mbuke islanders have silently suffered the long term effects of climate change, caused by global warming, for over five decades now.

With a population of 420, the people have seen and experienced the effects of climate change since the 70s, affecting their way of life including food security and water supply.

Former WWF marine officer and local environmentalist Selarn Kaluwin highlighted that over the years, the villagers have tried to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

After the U.S. President Trump withdrew support from the Paris agreement, the international accord to restrict global warming, others are looking to fill the gap.

Every day, Pacific nations are fighting for their islands' survival as they contend with the ongoing effects of climate change.

Fiji is the first small island state to preside over the conference of parties (COP23), the annual round of the ongoing UN climate negotiations later this year.

Nicolas Hulot announced the planned ban on fossil fuel vehicles as part of a renewed commitment to the Paris climate deal.

He said France planned to become carbon neutral by 2050.

Hybrid cars make up about 3.5 percent of the French market, with pure electric vehicles accounting for just 1.2 percent.

It is not yet clear what will happen to existing fossil fuel vehicles still in use in 2040.

The COP 23 to the UN Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will be organised by Fiji and hosted at the headquarters of the UNFCCC Secretariat in Bonn, Germany, from November 6-17, 2017. 

Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama is the incoming President of COP23.

Climate Change Development Authority (CCDA) acting managing director, Ruel Yamuna, told Loop PNG that with the COP 23 organised by Fiji, PNG will take this as an opportunity to strongly negotiate for best possible outcomes.

U.S President Donald Trump recently announced that he was withdrawing the US from the Paris climate accord, which he claimed placed financial burdens on the American people.

Barker explained that other countries in the world have begun negotiating the rulebook for the implementation of the climate deal.

He said the biggest contributors to environmental reforms tend to be some of those developed countries like Norway with small populations and yet, they have been at the forefront.

Climate Change & Development Authority (CCDA) managing director, Ruel Yamuna, said this in response to U.S President Donald Trump’s recent announcement.

Yamuna said PNG will continue to negotiate for the strongest possible outcome to ensure climate action is implemented.

He said PNG, through CCDA in partnership with key government departments, state agencies and other development partners, will continue to work with all stakeholders to implement PNG’s obligations under the Paris Agreement.